I have a chance to to get a Dana 60 for trade and was wondering if anybody has dealt with one?



I will be getting an 85 T/A (what I believe is a WS6) for pulling a motor and putting on a stand for a friend of mine. He is giving me the 79 Vette 350/350 combo ,the body of the T/A with, aluminum DS and Dana rear for $200.
I also get tires/rims etc, but the real question is about the Dana 60.

What do I look for,and it's ready to bolt in so how strong is it? I'm putting this in my turbo v6 regardless because I now have a "one wheel wonder" and need posi, but any input would be appreciated from anybody else who has one.

 

The Dana rear is a bolt in on the T/A? Its a stout piece. Doubt you'll ever break it. A few posi units are available aftermarket. Brakes might be a problem with adapting them to the Dana.

 

the dna60 is a very strong rear, 9.75 ring gear and i think 33 spline stock axles. if its a dana60 for a f-body with the torque arm provision and has the propper shortened driveshaft with it, it should do very well. strange sells the dana60 so im sure you could get parts from them

if stock, the vette motor is a dog

 

Yes, I know, Im giving my dad the motor for his 76 (to keep his low miles).

I'm going to sell/part the car and tranny, but I get the AL driveshaft, rear, rims and tires.

So is it better than a Ford 9", correct?
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EDIT: It also has disk brakes with the proportioning valve and a manual steering box (make room for my new FF headers ).

 

Its a VERY strong rear end - I'd bet stronger than the 9". Drawback though is that the Dana 60 is a pig... its REALLY heavy.

 

No, it's not a bolt-in. This was modified to fit a thirdgen, much like a Ford 9" would need.

Brakes are on it (disk).

 

GM sold a Dana 44 through the GMPPC many years ago. It was a direct bolt in.

A Dana 60 is normally found in 3/4 ton+ trucks and a few Dodge muscle cars from the late 60's. It's a huge heavy diff. It's very strong but a pain to set up. It's a big heavy power robbing diff. To convert it to a third gen, you'll have to find a way to eliminate the torque arm by using ladder bars or back halfing the car for a 4-link. If it's from a 3/4 ton, you'll have to cut the ends of the housing off and have something more common installed like Ford big bearing ends.

I'm happy with my 9" and even I don't want a Dana 60 under my car. It would slow me down.

 

Well, it's not going to happen anyways! The guy is still swearing it is a Dana and it's clearly not (it was sold to him being told it was). It's pouring down rain and I got down to look anyways and couldn't see the bottom bolts to tell if it's 10 or 12, but it's a stock rear.

I knew it was too good to be true. Still might take the car from him since most of the suspension is new and the doors, one fender, hatch, aluminum DS, rims/tires and all the glass are good.